JP2971214B2 - Low frequency electric therapy equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrotherapy device using a low frequency. In addition, the present invention relates to a low-frequency electrotherapy device for assisting expectoration of patients who have difficulty in expectoration in respiratory diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a low-frequency electric therapy device having a constant current output control function for maintaining a substantially constant conduction current during treatment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in the treatment of respiratory diseases, respiratory failure,
It is very important to remove sputum that easily causes air-conduction infection and the like, and there are drug therapy and physiotherapy as expectoration methods for that purpose.

[0003] All expectorants in pharmacotherapy act directly or indirectly on the rheological properties of sputum, such as adhesion, spinnability and thixotropy.
Due to the nature of drug administration, its side effects were unavoidable.

[0004] As physical therapy, postural discharge (drainage), tapping of the chest from outside, and the like are known. However, while there is little worry about the side effects of the drug treatment,
Sufficient sputum effect was not obtained.

[0005] As a new physical expectoration method which solves these problems of the expectoration method, there is an expectoration method and an electrotherapy device for expectoration (JP-A-63-292968) which cause an expectoration effect by interfering low-frequency electrical stimulation. .

[0006]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Conventional low frequency electrotherapy devices for expectorants and the like have been of a constant voltage output type.
Therefore, the current value at the time of treatment has various values due to the difference in the human body impedance without the output control unit. Further, even if an output control unit is provided and a setting is made so that a desired current value is output at the start of treatment, an initial set current does not always flow during treatment due to a change in human body impedance during treatment. Generally, in order to reliably obtain a therapeutic effect, it is necessary to output a constant current required for the treatment, and in the related art, there has been a situation in which it is not known whether or not the constant current treatment has been performed.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve this problem, a low-frequency electrotherapy device for expectoration or the like according to the present invention comprises:
In this method, means having a constant current output control function is incorporated so that a predetermined current can be reliably supplied during treatment.

That is, the present invention has a medium frequency,
Current generating means for generating a current for causing a low-frequency current having a frequency in the range of 5 to 150 Hz to act on the treatment site; and a conductor means for supplying a current for causing the low-frequency current to act on the treatment site. Current setting means for adjusting the current supplied through the conductor means, current detection means for detecting the current at the time of conduction, treatment current input means, and a current value detected by the current detection means And control means for outputting to the current setting means a control signal for controlling the current setting means so as to be substantially equal to the treatment current value inputted by the treatment current input means. A low-frequency electric therapy device is provided.

[0009] The present invention includes a low-frequency electric treatment device in which the treatment current value inputted by the treatment current input means is 2 to 50 mA.

Further, according to the present invention, when the value of the current detected by the current detecting means sharply decreases, the current increase control for gradually increasing the current supplied through the conductor means. A low frequency electrotherapy device with means is included.

Further, in the present invention, the control means includes:
When the detected current value is reduced to a predetermined ratio or less with respect to the treatment current value while energizing through the conductor means, the control signal is changed to the detection current value of the treatment current value. A low frequency electrotherapy device which can be maintained in the control signal when the ratio is reached is included.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an energization time setting means for energizing through the conductor means, a time from the start of energization is measured, and after the elapse of the energization time determined by the energization time recognition means, A low frequency electrotherapy device with timer means for automatically stopping the passage is included.

Further, in the present invention, the timer means stops stepping when the detected current value falls below a predetermined ratio with respect to the treatment current value, and the detection current value becomes smaller than the treatment current value. A low-frequency electrotherapy device, which starts the step again when the value becomes higher than the predetermined ratio, is included.

The present invention also provides a current generating means for generating two types of carrier currents having a medium frequency and a frequency of 5 to 150 Hz, and a current generating means for supplying each of the two types of carrier currents. Two pairs of conductor means, current setting means for adjusting a current supplied through the conductor means, current detection means for detecting a current at the time of conduction, treatment current setting means, Control means for outputting to the current setting means a control signal for controlling the current setting means so that the current value detected by the current detection means is substantially equal to the therapy current value inputted by the therapy current input means. Equipped, said 2
Each pair of conductor means has one of the electrodes forming the end of each pair of conductor means, one on the chest and the other on the back, and each of the electrodes is arranged such that the current from each pair of conductor means intersects with each other. The present invention provides a low frequency electrotherapy device for expectorant.

Further, the invention has a medium frequency,
A current generating means for generating an amplitude-modulated wave whose amplitude fluctuates within one value selected from a frequency of 5 to 150 Hz or within the frequency range, a pair of electrode means for supplying the current, Current detection means for detecting the current of
Therapy current setting means, and a control signal for controlling the current setting means such that a current value detected by the current detection means is substantially equal to a therapy current value inputted by the therapy current input means. A low frequency electrotherapy device for expectoration, wherein the pair of conductor means are arranged so that one of the electrodes forming each end is located on the chest and the other on the back. Things. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

The low-frequency electrotherapy device of the present invention is used for expectoration in which one or two pairs of electrodes of a conductor means are provided on the chest and back, respectively. An electrotherapy device for constipation treatment which is used by arranging electrodes of the guide means on the rear side, and an electric device for urinary incontinence which is used by arranging the electrodes of the guide means on the front side and the back side of the lower abdomen Examples thereof include a therapeutic device and, for example, an electrotherapy device for sinusitis in which two pairs of electrodes of the guide means are alternately arranged on the front and rear sides of both shoulders.

The stimulation of the electric current received by the human body is somewhat different depending on the location of the current supply. In particular, when the electrodes of the guide means are arranged near the heart and the current is applied and applied, adverse effects due to the stimulation are likely to occur. It can be said that a so-called soft start type in which the rising speed of the output current for energization is reduced is extremely important in terms of practically giving a patient a sense of security.

In the following, referring to the drawings as needed,
The low-frequency electrotherapy device of the present invention will be described in more detail.

As the medium frequency in the present invention, 10
The order of 00 Hz is preferable.
000-6000 Hz, preferably 3000-5000
A range of about Hz is practically used. More specifically, in the vicinity of 4000 Hz, the electrical impedance of the human skin is low and the body is easily energized, and the electric shock (macroshock) to the living body is significantly lower than the commercial current (50 to 60 Hz). Is used because it is expensive and safe.

The treatment frequency reproduced as an interference low frequency is 5
It is desirable to oscillate in the range of Hz to 150 Hz, preferably 30 to 150 Hz, particularly preferably 50 to 100 Hz. In that case, one carrier is set to, for example, 4000 + 100 = 4100 Hz by a phase shifter or the like.
This 4100 Hz carrier wave and the other 4000 Hz carrier wave are output from two terminals through two pairs of conductors, respectively, so that electric treatment can be performed from four electrodes in a living body.
In this case, a specific example of the current generating means includes a carrier oscillator, a therapy oscillator, and a phase shifter. As another example, current generating means may be formed by using two carrier oscillators having different frequencies.

In the current generating means for generating an amplitude-modulated wave when a pair of electrodes is used, the treatment wave frequency is 5 to 150 Hz, preferably 30 to 150 Hz, which is highly sensitive to the living body.
To 150 Hz, particularly preferably 50 to 100 Hz. The frequency may either maintain a constant value or vary regularly or irregularly within the above-mentioned range. When the low-frequency electrotherapy device is used for treating urinary incontinence, the treatment frequency is 5 to 50 Hz, particularly 10 to 30 H.
The range of z is preferred.

As the waveform of the treatment wave, various shapes such as a sine wave, a rectangular wave, a triangular wave, and a stab wave can be used, and these may be changed periodically or irregularly. .

In general, if the electrical stimulation of the living body is continued under the same conditions and the same pulse frequency, the effect may be reduced due to so-called "accustomed use" or, on the contrary, discomfort may be felt. To avoid this, it may be useful to vary the treatment wave frequency and / or the amplitude or waveform of the treatment wave regularly or irregularly. As a method of giving such a regular or irregular change of the frequency, amplitude or waveform, a method is called from a ROM in which conditions are input in advance, or a regular or substantial change is made based on a pseudo random number generated by a microprocessor. It is possible to give an irregular frequency, amplitude or tooth-like current change.

Usually, for example, in terms of the therapeutic effect of expectorant,
An electrotherapy device that generates an interference low frequency using two pairs of electrodes is advantageously used in practice.

The electrotherapy device of the present invention includes current detecting means for detecting a current flowing through two or one pair of electrodes, and may further include current display means for displaying the detected current as necessary. desirable. When two pairs of electrodes are used and two pairs of current detection units are used, it is desirable to provide a current display unit for displaying each current detection value from the two pairs of current detection units or an average value thereof.

The electrotherapy device of the present invention further includes current setting means for setting a current to be supplied through the conductor means and adjusting the current as necessary. Specific examples of such current setting means include a means for changing the amplification degree of the output amplifier and a means also serving as the resistance value of the output resistor.

Further, the low-frequency electrotherapy device of the present invention is provided with a therapy current input means for inputting a predetermined therapy current value to be kept substantially constant during treatment and to be energized. With respect to the lower limit of the treatment current value, if the current value is less than 2 mA, electrical stimulation is not so much felt, and the electric current value is preferably 2 mA or more, more preferably 3 mA or more. In addition, expectorant effect is easily obtained at 5 mA or more, especially 6 m
At A or higher, expectorant effect is large. The upper limit of the treatment current value is, for example, 20 mA. However, the effect of electrical stimulation on the human body is more likely to be a problem than the degree of expectorant effect. There is also a tendency to cramp, etc., which is unfavorable because it gives patients anxiety. The upper limit cannot be said unconditionally because of individual differences, and it is particularly preferable to set the value according to the user in view of safety measures for the user using the therapeutic device of the present invention. Normally, even if the current is increased by 25 mA or more, the therapeutic effect is hardly increased even though discomfort is increased. Therefore, it is desirable to set the upper limit to 25 mA, preferably 20 mA.

In order to take such safety measures, in the electrotherapy device for expectorant or the like of the present invention, an upper limit of the current during energization is set, and when the energization current becomes higher than the upper limit, the current is automatically set. It is desirable to lower the current (ie, to adjust the current setting means such as an amplifier) or to incorporate an excessive current prevention means for stopping the current supply into the setting means, for example. Furthermore, it is practically useful that the upper limit of the current can be set according to the suitability of the user.

The low-frequency electric treatment device according to the present invention has a function of detecting the current value detected by the current detection means and the treatment current in order to make the current actually supplied through the guide means substantially constant during treatment. There is provided control means for outputting a control signal to the current setting means to control the current setting means so that the treatment current values inputted by the input means become substantially equal.

Specific examples of such control means include, in addition to digital control by a microprocessor as described later, an analog PI using an operational amplifier or the like.
D control and the like.

In the therapeutic device of the present invention, when the impedance suddenly increases and the detected current suddenly decreases, the current value is not suddenly increased when returning to a predetermined therapeutic current value, but is gradually increased. It is desirable to provide a current rise control means for increasing the current. By doing so, an unpleasant shock can be prevented from being given to the user.
As such a current rise control unit, the control unit that outputs the control signal may have its function,
Alternatively, automatic output adjusting means (circuit) such as an analog switch, a programmable variable resistor, a multiplier, and an integrator may be used.

Further, in the treatment device of the present invention, when the detected current decreases by a predetermined ratio or less, for example, 80% or less with respect to the inputted treatment current value at the time of energization, the current immediately before the decrease, for example, the treatment It is desirable to provide the control means with a function of maintaining the control signal at the time of 80% of the current value, that is, fixing the output current at 80% of the treatment current value or the like.

By doing so, for example, when the conductor comes off the body, when the conductor is again attached to the body and the energization is started, it can be easily returned to the predetermined energized state before that.

Further, the treatment device of the present invention is provided with a treatment time setting means and a timer means for automatically stopping energization in conjunction with the treatment time setting means, so that the detected current is a predetermined value such as 80% of the inputted treatment current value. When the ratio becomes equal to or less than the ratio, the timer means is stopped from increasing, and the detected current becomes 80% of the therapeutic current value.
It is desirable to provide a function of restarting the advance of the timer means when the predetermined ratio such as% or more is reached.
For example, even when one of the electrodes of the conductor comes off the human body and the current stops flowing, such a function makes it easy to reliably supply a predetermined current for a predetermined time.

The energization treatment time varies depending on the purpose of treatment and the object of treatment, but is preferably selected within the range of 5 to 30 minutes. For example, expectoration is thought to be due to the mechanism of action of interfering low-frequency electrical stimulation through the parasympathetic nervous system, which enhances airway fluid secretion, changes rheological properties, and increases the rate of mucociliary transport in the trachea. It was found that it lasted for several hours to more than ten hours even during clinical treatment. Therefore, the treatment time is preferably in the range of 10 to 20 minutes as a time in which the living body can sufficiently receive the electrical stimulation.

When the electrotherapy device of the present invention uses two pairs of conductor means, for example, for expectoration, one of the electrodes forming each end of each pair of conductor means is connected to the chest. The other is installed on the back, and the current of each pair of conductor means is crossed at a high level. If a pair of conductor means is used, one of the electrodes forming each end is located on the chest and the other on the back.

As the means for mounting the conductor electrode, a combination of an adhesive conductive conductor, a hydrated sponge conductor fixing band and a fixing tool can be used. If the guide is fixed without relying on the suction force of the vacuum pump as described above, the entire treatment device can be made compact and can be used as a portable device, which is very useful in practice.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an expectoration electrotherapy device as an embodiment of the low-frequency electrotherapy device of the present invention using two pairs of conductors. Oscillator 1 oscillates a carrier of 4 KHz and oscillator 2 oscillates oscillators 1 and 5
Oscillates different carrier waves by 〜100 Hz. The two carriers pass through a current detection circuit 7 comprising current setting circuits 6, 7a and 7b, a double isolation transformer 8 and 9a and 9b and 9c and 9
It is output from two pairs of conductors d.

As one example of realizing the constant current control method, the control unit 4 of the central processing unit 5 such as a microprocessor or a microcomputer uses the control unit 4 to detect the value detected by the current detection circuit 7 in the central processing unit 5. There is a method of obtaining a control signal equal to the treatment current value inputted to the treatment current input means 3 and outputting the control signal to the treatment current setting circuit 6. As one example, the current setting circuit 6 uses a variable gain circuit (a programmable gain amplifier) including an analog switch. The current detected by the detection circuit 7 is displayed by the current display circuit 10.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an embodiment of the electrotherapy device according to the present invention in the case of using an amplitude-modulated wave using a pair of conductors. In the figure, the current generating means is medium, preferably 2000 to 60
00 Hz, more preferably a carrier oscillator 11 for generating an electrical signal of 3000 to 5000 Hz, and 5 to 150 Hz
Wave generator 12 and multiplier 20 for generating electric signal of
From the output side of the multiplier, an amplitude-modulated low frequency having a carrier frequency and corresponding to an amplitude change of the treatment frequency is obtained. The amplitude-modulated low frequency is applied to the current setting circuit 16,
The current passes through a current detection circuit 17 composed of a pair of 17a and 17b, and is output from a pair of conductors 19a and 19b. As an example of the constant current control method in this case, control is performed by using the control means 14 in the central processing unit 15 such that the detected current value from the current detection circuit 17 becomes equal to the treatment current value input to the treatment current input means 13. A method of obtaining a signal and outputting the control signal to the current setting circuit 16 is adopted. Further, a current display circuit 21 for displaying the detected current value is provided.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a basic software flowchart of the control means 4 in the central processing unit 5 in the low frequency electric therapy apparatus of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, for example. In this case, for example, when the treatment current value input to the input means 3 is 10 mA and α is set to a value of 10%, when the detected current exceeds 11 mA, the control to decrease the gain of the amplifier in the current setting circuit 6 is performed. A signal is output to the setting circuit 6 to reduce the output current, and when the detected current is lower than 9 mA, a control signal for increasing the gain of the amplifier in the setting circuit 6 is output to increase the output current. Functions are provided.

FIG. 4 shows a specific example of a programmable gain amplifier as the current setting circuit 6 in the low frequency electric therapy apparatus of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, for example.
These are controlled by A, B, C,
It functions to change the gain of the amplifier by switching ON / OFF of each of the switches D, E, and F. For example, if only A is ON, the current is tripled and output, and if only B is ON, a current 1.5 times the previous value is output. Will be.

[0043]

The low-frequency electrotherapy device of the present invention has a constant current output function, so that even if the current-carrying resistance (impedance) changes due to the installation state of the conductor, the state of the body, and the like, it is automatically performed. The present invention has an excellent effect that a treatment can be surely performed while applying a predetermined current.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a low-frequency electric therapy apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the low-frequency electric therapy apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of a software flowchart of control means in the low-frequency electric therapy apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example of a circuit diagram of a current setting unit in the low-frequency electrotherapy device of the present invention.

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A61N 1/32

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A medium frequency having a frequency of 5 to 150 Hz.
Current generating means for generating a current for causing an interfering low-frequency current to act on the treatment site, a conductor means for applying a current for causing the low-frequency current to act on the treatment site, and the conductor Current setting means for adjusting the current supplied through the means, current detection means for detecting the current when the current is supplied, treatment current input means, and the current value detected by the current detection means is the treatment current. Control means for outputting to the current setting means a control signal for controlling the current setting means so as to be substantially equal to the treatment current value inputted by the input means, wherein the control means comprises Through the means
While the battery is being charged, the detected current value is
When the ratio falls below a predetermined ratio, the control signal is detected.
The control signal when the current value becomes the ratio of the treatment current value
A low-frequency electric therapy device characterized in that it can be maintained . 2. The low-frequency electrotherapy device according to claim 1, wherein a therapy current value inputted by said therapy current input means is 2 to 50 mA. 3. A current rising control means for gradually increasing a current supplied through said conductor means when a current value detected by said current detecting means sharply decreases. Item 7. The low-frequency electric therapy device according to Item 1. 4. An energization time setting means for energizing through the conductor means, measuring a time from the start of energization and automatically stopping energization after an elapse of the energization time set by the energization time setting means. 2. The low-frequency electrotherapy device according to claim 1, further comprising timer means for performing the operation. 5. The timer means stops stepping when the detected current value falls below a predetermined ratio with respect to the treatment current value, and the detection current value falls within the predetermined ratio of the treatment current value. 5. The low-frequency electrotherapy device according to claim 4 , wherein the stepping is started again at a higher time.